Focus Ireland Limited and Subsidiaries
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
Internal controls The directors acknowledge their overall responsibility for the group’s systems of internal control and for reviewing its effectiveness. They have delegated responsibility for the implementation of this system to the executive management. This system includes financial controls, which enable the Board to meet its responsibilities for the integrity and accuracy of the group’s accounting records. The board has also established a process of compliance which addresses the board’s wider responsibility to maintain, review and report on all internal controls, including financial, operation and compliance risk management. The key elements of internal control systems 1) The group has strict policies and procedures in place for the receipt, recording and control of Donations received from private individuals and the corporate sector. These procedures are regularly reviewed and independently audited. 2)
The group has an established Risk Management programme. Quarterly workshops are held to review the risk register and each risk is owned and monitored by an executive who reports on their areas of risk fortnightly at the executive meeting. Risks are reviewed by the board twice annually.
3)
An independent internal audit is conducted annually to evaluate the internal financial controls and assessment of business risk. The most recent audit report was positive stating that the internal controls of the organisation were well documented and sufficiently robust to safeguard the assets of the company.
An Audit Committee reports independently to the Board on all aspects of controls and risks. 4)
Procedures and control systems are formally documented in a series of Service Level Agreements, within all departments of the group. These were implemented in 2003 and are reviewed regularly.
5)
There is a formal organisational structure in place with clearly defined lines of responsibility, division of duties and delegation of authority.
6)
Detailed budgets are prepared annually, in line with the strategic plan these are reviewed by the finance sub-committee and further reviewed and approved by the board. Actual results and service outcomes are compared regularly against these Budgets to ensure; alignment with plan, tight budgetary control and value for money.
7)
As part of the Reserve policy we will endeavour to maintain reserve levels to mitigate risks and to ensure sustainability of our services.
Focus Ireland Services Homeless Support: Day services The Coffee Shop Focus Ireland’s “Day Service” operates from the Coffee Shop in Temple Bar, providing quality, affordable meals for homeless adults, families and children, in a safe and warm environment. Lunch is served from 12pm-3pm, Monday to Friday, and from 11.30am-3pm, Saturday and Sunday. Our Advice & Information Service also operates from this location five days a week. Extended Day Services – John’s Lane West Focus Ireland also partner with Merchant’s Quay Ireland in delivering the “Extended Day Service” from John’s Lane West, Monday to Friday from 5pm-8.15pm. This service provides free food for the most marginalised in a safe and warm environment and also operates an Advice & Information Service from this location from 5pm to 8pm, Monday to Friday.
Homeless Support: Day services (continued)